Therapeutic compositions

ABSTRACT

Sodium bisulfite is used to treat epilepsy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of Ser. No. 608,122, filed May 8, 1984,which is a continuation-in-part of both Ser. No. 498,488, filed May 26,1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,357 and Ser. No. 498,489, filed May 26,1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,988.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sodium bisulfite (usually shown by formula to be NaHSO₃) has heretoforebeen used for many commercial purposes, as a preservative for preventionof the deterioration of liquids, such as food stuffs and pharmaceuticalsolids and solutions, and has been used medically externally forparasitic skin diseases and internally as a gastrointesinal antiseptic.

The sodium bisulfite of commerce consists chiefly of sodiummetabisulfite, Na₂ S₂ O₅, and for purposes of this invention such isbelieved to possess the same properties as (and to be equivalent to) thetrue sodium bisulfite when dissolved in an aqueous solution.

The use of sodium bisulfite and metabisulfite in the treatment ofhypertension is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,083 and is alsodescribed as an antithrombotic agent useful for prolonging bothprothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) of blood orblood plasma in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,654.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of my invention I have discovered that sodiumbisulfite, either as such or in an aqueous solution of sulfite ions (SO₃⁼), is useful in low doses and over extended periods in the treatment ofthe symptoms of arthritis and arthritic conditions when administered tohumans in an aqueous dilute solution.

Treatment of Arthritis: A first embodiment of the present invention isdirected to the treatment of arthritis and symptoms experienced by thoseafflicted with arthritic conditions. The most common form of arthritisis rheumatoid arthritis which is characterized by a chronic inflammatorycondition affecting particularly the small joints of the hands and feet,although the larger joints may be affected later. The synovial membranetypically swells forming pulpy masses or fringes causing the joints tobe enlarged. A gradual destruction of the articular cartilage finallyresults in complete disability and fusion of the joint surfaces.Customary symptoms include pain and swelling of the joints together withincreasing stiffness and disability as the condition continues. Thejoints may eventually become distorted or deformed.

Another form of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is a degeneration ofarticular cartilage and bone, a degenerative condition.

For both forms of arthritis conventional therapy has included the use ofcorticosteroids, initially at a small dose and continued, oftenincreased slowly, for a period of several years until the desired degreeof control/mobility is attained. Prednisone is often used. Forosteoarthritis an intra-articular injection of corticosteroids is oftenrecommended for acute inflammations and episodes. Other treatments haveincluded the administration of salicylates, notably aspirin, gold salts,ibuprofen, indomethacin, oxyphenbutazone and the like.

Among the advantages of the method of the present invention the patientis able to consume the required amount of bisulfite orally and withoutthe danger of seroid therapy and its attendant risks, or the stomachupset and blood anormalities often associated with other products, suchas indomethacin. The bisulfite itself is a safe, food-grade product welltolerated by virtually all patients.

In some of the clinical studies reported below there has been a completeremission of symptoms and therapy is stopped; in other patients therapyis maintained for longer periods of time and probably may be continuedindefinitely.

Use of the present invention frequently leads to symptomatic andobjective improvement in arthritic symptoms and conditions in man. Bythe term "symptomatic improvement", as used herein, reference is had toan improvement in subjective symptoms as reported by that patient. Bythe term "objective improvement", as used herein, reference is had to ameasurable and objective change in the patient's condition.

In a second aspect of my invention I have discovered that sodiumbisulfite, either as such or in an aqueous solution of sulfite ions (SO₃⁼), is useful in low doses and over certain periods in the treatment ofthe symptoms of epilepsy, particularly gran mal and petit mal, whenadministered to humans in a dilute aqueous solution.

Treatment of Epilepsy: A second emobodiment of the present invention isdirected to the treatment of epilepsy and symptoms experienced by thoseafflicted with epileptic conditions. Epilepsy is an episodic disturbanceof consciousness during which generalized convulsions may occur. Thecondition is of unknown etiology, but is often hereditary, and ismanifested by symptoms of a peculiar sensation, smell or feeling, calledan "aura" proceeding the loss of consciousness and often convulsions.Patients often complain of an initial noxious, foul smell, such as thatof burning rubber. The patient is apt to fall during an attack, ofteninjuring himself. He or she also may bite his tongue, become incontinentand awake to realize that something has happened only because ofmuscular soreness. Gran mal epilepsy is often preceded by an aura,beginning in a finger or toe and rising until the head is involved. Thepatient may give a shrill cry followed by unconsciousness. Tonic spasmsare often followed by clonic spasms. Petit mal, another form ofepilepsy, is evidenced by short seizures consisting of only momentaryunconsciousness. See generally Goodman and Gilman, The PharmacologicalBasic of Therapeutics, pp. 201-226 ( 1975), the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The term epilepsies is a collective designation for a group of chroniccentral nervous system disorders having in common brief episodes(seizures) associated with loss or disturbance of consciousness, usuallybut not always with characteristic body movements (convulsions) andsometimes autonomic hyperactivity, and always correlated with abnormaland excessive EKG disturbances. Epileptic seizures in an individualpatient are classified on the basic of the clinical manifestations ofthe attacks and the EKG pattern.

Seizure types are often used to classify the particular type or types ofepilepsy which include gran mal (generalized tonic-chronic), absence(petit mal), cortical focal, temporal lobe (psychomotor) and infantilethat often occur in young children. In some of the clinical studiesreported below there has been a complete remission of symptoms andtherapy is stopped; in other patients therapy is maintained for longerperiods of time.

Use of the present invention leads to symptomatic and objectiveimprovement in epileptic conditions in man. By the term "symptomaticimprovement", as used herein, reference is had to an improvement insubjective symptoms as reported by that patient. By the term "objectiveimprovement", as used herein, reference is had to a measurable andobjective change in the patient's condition.

Other and further aspects, objects, purposes, advantages, aims,utilities, features and the like will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from a reading of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

More particularly, this invention concerns a process for treating ahuman suffering from the symptoms of arthritis wherein there isintroduced a chemical agent comprising at least one compound which inaqueous solution furnishes at least one ion selected from the groupconsisting of bisulfite (which is preferred) and sulfite, the ion beingpresent in a pharmaceutically effective amount of sodium bisulfite.Inorganic salts of sulfurous acid are suitable agents for practicing theinvention, such as the pharmaceutically acceptable and existingcompounds of the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium saltsof bisulfite and sulfites, including metabisulfites. Preferred are thesodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium salts.

In one preferred mode of using this invention, an aqueous solution offrom about 1 to 15% by weight sodium bisulfite is prepared. Suchsolution is orally consumed by a human at the total (or accumulated)dose rate ranging from 0.2 to 4.0 mg per each kilogram of body weightper day, more preferably in the form of from two to four spaced dosesper day, each such dose being preferably taken after meal time. Apresently most preferred dose rate comprises one in the range from about1.0 to 3.4 mg per kg. of body weight per day taken in the form of atleast two spaced oral doses (using an aqueous solution as describedherein).

In such mode of using this invention, one achieves symptomaticimprovement in arthritic symptoms.

It is believed that larger or smaller doses may be used in accordancewith the spirit and scope of the present invention. One dose rate, forexample, considered effective is in the range of about 0.2 to 150 mg perday for an average human adult patient of approximately 70 kg. Oneknowledgeable in this art will select a regimen of therapy that providessubjective, symptomatic relief to the patient. Dose ranging studies inhuman volunteers indicate that single dose of up to 1,000 mg of sodiummetabisulfite are tolerated without adverse effects.

The use of this invention is preferably practiced at present using adilute aqueous solution of sodium bisulfite. Because of the tendency forsodium bisulfite to undergo oxidation when in aqueous solution andoxygen is present, it is presently common and even preferred in usingthis invention to employ a solution which comprises on a 100 percent byweight total solution basis:

(a) from about 1 to 15 percent by weight of dissolved inorganic solids,and

(b) the balance up to 100 percent by weight of any given solution beingwater.

In such solution, such dissolved inorganic solids comprise on acalculated 100 percent by weight dry basis:

(a) at least about 50 and more preferably at least 90 percent by weightsodium bisulfite, and

(b) the balance up to 100 percent by weight thereof being inorganiccompounds produced or producible by the oxidation of sodium bisulfite.

The water used in such a solution is preferably purified (e.g. filtered,deionized, distilled or the like). After preparation, such a solution ispreferably stored in a closed container to reduce oxidation.

Such an aqueous solution can be directly consumed by a patient as drops(e.g. from about 5 to 20 drops per meal, depending upon dose rate for anindividual patient) or as a capsule or the like, as desired. A preferreddosage delivery system is a dropper bottle filled with an aqueoussolution of sodium metabisulfite or a pharmaceutically acceptablecompound capable of releasing SO₃ ⁼ ions in an aqueous solution.Individual dosage units can range from about 50 to about 500 mg. each.

Symptomatic improvement in a patient's condition may occur within a fewdays to a few weeks of continuous usage of sodium bisulfite in accordwith the teachings of this invention and as illustrated below.

One important advantage of the present invention is the circumstancethat the indicated desirable results are achieved with surprisinglylittle or no apparent side effects.

EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is further illustrated by reference to thefollowing case histories. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatother and further embodiments are obvious and within the spirit andscope of this invention from the teachings of these present examplestaken with the accompanying specification.

PREPARATION OF THE SOLUTION

A sodium bisulfite is prepared by dissolving pharmaceutical grade(U.S.P. Grade) powdered sodium bisulfite (sodium metabisulfite) indistilled water at room temperature to form an eleven percent by weightaqueous solution.

This solution is then placed into a series of plastic squeeze bottles,each with a volumetric capacity of about 50-52 ml. Each bottle isprovided with a cap permitting drop-wise dispensing of solution fromsuch bottle at an estimated rate of 15 drops per ml. This is sometimesidentified below as Agent C. In the studies reported below no other formof anti-arthritic therapy was used unless otherwise indicated.

In each of the following numbered case histories, each patient isprovided with such a bottle of the above solution and is instructed todose himself (or herself, as the case may be) from the bottle soprovided at the rate indicated (in drops) to be taken orally at thefrequency stated, preferably after each of his (her) three daily meals.When the contents of one such bottle is thus so gradually consumed by anindividual patient, another is provided to him (her).

Treatment of Arthritis EXAMPLE 1

A 28 year old woman, 55 kilograms body weight, temperature 37° C., bloodpressure 120/70 was examined. Rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed basedon clinical study and immunological tests.

The patient's symptoms consisted of pains in the interfalangicalarticulations, both hands, as well as a discrete deformation on onehand. Previous treatment consisted of antirheumatics and Artilansuppositories, used normally in severe phases of this illness. At firstthere was a discrete improvement, followed by pain which increased inintensity using this conventional therapy. Sodium bisulfite solution(11%), as described above, was prescribed 10 drops per dose, twicedaily. Approximately 10 days later there was a favorable improvement,pain disappeared and up to the present this patient continues with thissame treatment with a 10 drops dose twice a day; the deformity has notprogressed and patient is comfortable.

EXAMPLE 2

A woman, 38 years old, 70 kilograms body weight, 37° C., blood pressure140/90 was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis based on specifictests including the Rheumatoid factor and others. The pathological statestarted approximately four months prior to treatment with pain in thearticulations of both hands; no deformity was observed. Intensity of thepain was of a moderate degree. This patient had also received anantirheumatic treatment. Previous therapy was stopped and the patientwas given a solution of sodium metabisulfite, as described above, to betaken at a rate of one drop per every ten kilograms of body weight, i.e.7 drops, three times a day.

The desired effect appeared approximately ten days after therapy withsodium metabisulfite was initiated. This patient reported havingexperienced some disagreeable slight manifestations, so the dose wasdiminished to 5 drops 3 times a day, and those slight manifestationsdisappeared as well as the pain in the articulations. This patientcontinues to be maintained with the prescribed dose.

EXAMPLE 3

A 58 year old man, 75 kilograms body weight, temperature 37° C., bloodpressure 150/90. This patient began deforming rheumatoid arthritisapproximately 20 years ago. The intense deformation was localized inboth hands, accompanied with severe pains. Prednisone, analgesics andanti-inflammatories were prescribed unsuccessfully.

An 11% aqueous sodium metabisulfite solution was prescribed for thepatient, 7 drops 3 times daily, and after 30 days therapy all the painsdisappeared. This patient was followed for 2 years and continues to befree of pain; the joint deformation has not continued.

EXAMPLE 4

A 52 year old woman, 65 kilograms body weight, temperature 37° C., bloodpressure 150/85 was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis existingfor approximately 7 years. She was treated by various doctors and thediagnosis was made with specific studies.

For a two month period of time this patient was given only Agent C, 6drops 3 times daily. In only 8 days following initiation of therapy withthe sodium bisulfite solution the patient was examined and theinflammation and pains in both hands diminished completely.

EXAMPLE 5

A 22 year old woman, 50 kilograms body weight, temperature 37° C., bloodpressure 120/60 was examined and diagnosed as having rheumatoidarthritis (Juvenile). The patient was treated with gold salts andantirheumatics, with no favorable result.

This patient was given Agent C at a rate of 5 drops 3 times daily andobserved after a period of approximately 3 months. The analgesic andanti-inflammatory effects of Agent C were very noticeable, the intensityhas diminished considerably, as well as the inflammation. Therapycontinues at the same rate.

EXAMPLE 6

A woman, age 76, 53 kg. weight, blood pressure 120/90, temperature35.8°-36.2° C. was diagnosed as having arthritis as evidenced bydeformation in the toes and fingers. Agent C was employed at a rate of 6drops twice daily. Twenty days following initiation of therapy thepatient reported that pains were diminished, and the patient appeared tobe in better health. After about 4 months of therapy pains haddisappeared completely; inflammation was still present but to a smallerdegree.

This patient was followed for one year, maintained at the same dosagelevel of Agent C and continued to be free from pain with relatively noinflammation.

EXAMPLE 7

A woman, age 78, weight 56 kg., temperature 36.4° C., blood pressure122/80, was examined and diagnosed as having arthritis. Symptomsincluded inflammation of the finger joints progressing over a 20 yearperiod, with eventual difficulty in grasping objects in her hands.Therapy was initiated with Agent C, 5 drops 3 times a day. Afterapproximately 15 days, pain in the finger joints subjectively ceased.Finger deformation was still present, even after extended period oftherapy, although the fingers did not appear to have increased in size.

EXAMPLE 8

A woman, age 46, 68 kg., was diagnosed as having arthritis. Agent C wasadministered 7 drops twice daily and the patient observed. After oneyear's therapy the patient complained of no pains and inflammation wasvirtually completely gone.

Treatment of Epilepsy EXAMPLE 9

A boy, 12 years in age, was diagnosed as having epilepsy (petit mal).Principal symptoms included an abrupt cessation of activity, a fixedglance or stare, eyes rolled upwardly, 3 ocular movements per second,deviation of the ocular globes and of the head, shaking of lips andhands, and urinary incontinence. Attacks occurred at a rate of about 3to 5 every two weeks.

Therapy was initiated with an 11% aqueous solution of sodium bisulfite:6 drops of the solution were added to a glass of water and the contentstaken after meals, three times daily. Treatment continued and wasobserved on an approximate monthly basis with the following result.

    ______________________________________                                        months following                                                              initial therapy  observation                                                  ______________________________________                                        2                no improvement                                               3                frequency of convulsions                                                      reduced                                                      5                convulsive crises disappear                                  6                no convulsions                                               7                therapy was suspended                                        9                one crisis reported, lasted                                                   30 seconds, therapy                                                           resumed                                                      10               no convulsions                                               11               therapy stopped                                              ______________________________________                                    

Thirteen months following initial treatment, with therapy stopped for 2months, the patient appeared well, free of convulsive crises and in animproved general state of health.

EXAMPLE 10

An 8 year old boy suffer from petit mal epilepsy exhibited the followingsymptoms: loss of consciousness for about 30 seconds, deviation of theocular globes, tonic and clonic convulsions, incontinence of the bowelwith cephalalgia lasting for 1-2 minutes. Attacks occurred at a rate ofabout 2 per month. Agent C was administered at a rate of 4 drops 3 timesa day as in the previous example. The patient was observed periodicallyover one year's time; the clinician's observations were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        months following                                                              initial therapy  observation                                                  ______________________________________                                        2                no change in condition                                       4                one convulsive crisis per                                                     month; 30 seconds in                                                          duration                                                     5                no convulsive crises                                         6                no crisis, treatment with                                                     Agent C suspended                                            10               no further evidence of                                                        convulsive crises                                            12               patient is asymptomatic and                                                   considered controlled                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 11

A 3 year old boy suffered frequent tonic and clonic convulsions withfainting and cyanosis, heavy and noisy breathing, deviation of theocular globes and head with urinary and fecal incontinence. The patientwas diagnosed as suffering from petit mal epilepsy and 2 drops of AgentC 3 times a day were prescribed. Convulsions stopped 2 months followinginitiation of therapy. Agent C was discontinued 1 month later and thepatient remained asymptomatic and free of convulsive crises 5 monthsfollowing the date of initial treatment.

EXAMPLE 12

A 12 year old boy suffering from fainting lasting about 30 seconds,deviation of the ocular globes and head, salivation and tongue bitingwas diagnosed as having petit mal epilepsy. Attacks came at the rate of3 to 4 per week and lasted about one minute. Agent C was prescribed, 6drops 3 times a day. This treatment continued for 4 months until thefrequency of the attacks was reduced to one every 2 weeks, however theintensity and the duration were the same.

    ______________________________________                                        months following                                                              initial therapy   observation                                                 ______________________________________                                        6                 one crisis occurred 20                                                        seconds in duration                                         8                 no convulsions                                              9                 no convulsions                                              12                no convulsions                                              14                no convulsions, patient                                                       discontinued taking                                                           Agent C                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 13

A 4 year old boy weighing 18 kg. diagnosed as having epilepsy (petitmal) was observed to suffer from a convulsive crisis, includingdeviation of the eyes and fainting lasting for about 30 seconds.Treatment with an 11% aqueous solution of sodium bisulfite was commencedat a rate of 3 drops 3 times a day, as in the previous examples. Nosubstantial improvement in the patient's condition was noted until 4months of therapy was completed when the crisis condition stopped. Thepatient discontinued taking the solution and after 5 months withouttherapy the patient was discharged from the clinician's care.

EXAMPLE 14

An 18 year old male weighing 58 kg, blood pressure 130/80 was diagnosedas having gran mal epilepsy. Symptoms included paralysis of the facemuscles (cephalalgia), generalized convulsions followed by fainting,clonic and tonic movements with cyanosis and heavy, noisy breathing,tongue biting, general confusion and fatigue. Attacks occurred twice amonth. Agent C was prescribed, 6 drops 3 times a day. Five months afterinitial treatment the patient continued to follow the prescribed therapyand remained free of convulsions and facial paralysis.

EXAMPLE 15

A 31 year old man, 70 kg in weight, blood pressure 140/80 suffering fromintense cephalalgia, confusion and spontaneous mentally aberrant periodswas diagnosed as having gran mal epilepsy. Attacks occurred about 1every 2 weeks. Agent C, 7 drops 3 times daily as in Example 1, wasprescribed. Therapy continued and after 4 months the patient reported hewas free of convulsions and facial paralysis.

EXAMPLE 16

An 18 year old male, 48 kg, blood pressure 110/65 reported an aurafollowed by fainting with cyanosis. Tongue biting, tonic and clonicmovements followed by heavy breathing, fatigue and general mentalconfusion followed. These attacks occurred twice a month and the patientwas considered to suffer from gran mal epilepsy. Five drops of Agent Cwere prescribed to be taken orally 3 times a day, preferably aftermeals. Convulsive crises diminished over a period of time and 4 monthsfollowing initial therapy the patient reported no convulsions orattacks.

EXAMPLE 17

An 18 year old woman, 48 kg, blood pressure 110/65 suffered from anaura, manifested by the apparent smell of a foul odor and paresthesis,followed by fainting with cyanosis. Tongue biting and tonic, clonicmovements followed as well as heavy breathing and general mentalconfusion and fatigue. Attacks occurred at a rate of about 2 per month.Agent C at a rate of 5 drops 3 times a day was prescribed and after 3months of treatment the patient reported no convulsions.

EXAMPLE 18

A sixteen year old boy weighing 50 kg suffered from weekly attacksincluding fainting with clonic and tonic contractions, tongue biting,interrupted breathing and both urinary and fecal incontinence wasdiagnosed as suffering from gran mal epilepsy. Five drops of Agent Cwere prescribed to be taken orally 3 times a day, as in Example 1. Thefrequency of the convulsions diminshed for several months until 6 afterinitial therapy the patient was free from convulsions. Eight months frominitial treatment therapy was stopped and the patient remained free fromconvulsions or his other previous difficulties for a period of 14months.

EXAMPLE 19

A 38 year old man, 72 kg, blood pressure 180/80, complained of typicalgran mal symptoms including a bad odor aura, generalized convulsionswith extensive rigidity of the body and extremities followed by clonicmovements, temporary breathing interruptions, cyanosis and fainting.These symptoms happened about 4 times a month and each lasted about 4minutes. Agent C was prescribed, 7 drops 3 times a day, and the resultsobserved are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        months following                                                              initial therapy  observation                                                  ______________________________________                                        2                no symptoms or convulsions                                   4                no symptoms                                                  5                no symptoms                                                  9                therapy discontinued                                         13               a convulsion lasting 3                                                        minutes was reported;                                                         therapy was resumed                                          16               therapy discontinued                                         20               no convulsions reported                                                       while continuing therapy                                                      with Agent C                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 20

A 25 year old woman weighing 63 kg was diagnosed as having gran malepilepsy. Her symptoms included an aura (manifested by a feeling of fearand paresthesia in the arms), generalized tonic and clonic convulsionslasting about 5 minutes with a frequency of six spells per monthcoincident with menstruation. Agent C was prescribed, 7 drops 3 times aday (one drop per kg of body weight) and the results observed are asfollows:

    ______________________________________                                        months following                                                              initial therapy  observation                                                  ______________________________________                                         1               convulsions continue, no                                                      change in condition                                           2               no change in condition                                        3               no change in condition                                        5               crises diminish in                                                            frequency and intensity;                                                      3 per month each lasting                                                      1-2 minutes                                                   7               continued decline in                                                          condition                                                     9               no symptoms or signs of                                                       epilepsy                                                     11               one convulsive crisis                                                         lasting 1 minute                                             12               no symptoms                                                  13               no symptoms                                                  18               two crises each lasting 1                                                     minute                                                       20               no symptoms                                                  23               no symptoms                                                  26               no symptoms, therapy                                                          discontinued                                                 38               no symptoms or signs of                                                       epilepsy reported                                            ______________________________________                                    

The patient remained free from convulsion crises and the like for atleast one year after therapy was discontinued.

EXAMPLE 21

A 26 year old man, 68 kg, blood pressure 118/70 was diagnosed as havingepilepsy (gran mal). Symptoms included an initial aura (visual andauditory hallucinations), generalized convulsions, urinary incontinence,tongue biting, deviation of the ocular globes, cyanosis, difficulty inbreathing and other characteristic symptoms. Attacks occurred 3-4 perweek and each lasted about 3-4 minutes. Agent C was prescribed, 7 drops3 times a day preferably after meals, as in Example 1. Observations areas follows:

    ______________________________________                                        months following                                                              initial therapy   observation                                                 ______________________________________                                        1                 no change in condition                                      2                 no change in condition                                      3                 crises diminished in                                                          frequency and duration                                                        to 2 minutes each                                           5                 one crisis lasting 3-4                                                        minutes reported                                            7-20              no crises                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Therapy with Agent C was suspended 2 1/2 years after initial treatment.The patient continued to be asymptomatic for 6 months thereafter.

EXAMPLE 22

A 4 year old boy, 22 kg in weight, was diagnosed as having epilepsy.Principal signs and symptoms included aura (manifested by the sensationof fear), followed by generalized convulsions and faintness, extensoryrigidity, tonic at the trunk and extremities followed by clonicmovements, cyanosis and noisy breathing. The frequency was about 3attacks per month each lasting about 2-3 minutes. Agent C was prescribedat twice the usual dose, 5 drops of the 11% aqueous solution taken 3times a day. Symptoms stopped after 3 months of therapy. This youngpatient tolerated the dosage well and all symptoms have disappeared.

EXAMPLE 23

A 30 year old man, 68 kg, blood pressure 138/70 was diagnosed as havingepilepsy with the usual symptoms and signs. Attacks would happen about 5per month each lasting about 4 minutes. Agent C was prescribed at anelevated dose of 9 drops 3 times a day. Symptoms were gone after onlyone month of treatment and the patient was maintained for at least 7months thereafter without crisis.

EXAMPLE 24

A 12 year old boy, 35 kg, exhibited signs of fainting lasting 30 secondswith the sensation of clumsiness, a fixed glare with slight movement ofthe lips and hands. These events would happen as many as 6 times perweek but last only about 30 seconds each. The patient was considered tohave epilepsy and was prescribed 5 drops of Agent C (an elevated dosage)three times a day. After about one month the symptoms disappeared andthe patient remained asymptomatic for at least 5 months.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating epilepsy and epilepticconditions in a person suffering from the symptoms of epilepsycomprising orally administering to said person a symptom-alleviatingamount of a compound which in aqueous solution furnishes sulfite ions,bisulfite ions or both sulfite and bisulfite ions.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 in which the compound is selected from the group consisting ofalkali metals, alkaline earth metals and ammonium sulfites andbisulfites, and alkali metal bisulfites at an effective rate of fromabout 0.2 to about 50 mg. thereof per kilogram of body weight per 24hours.
 3. The method of claim 2 in which the compound is a sodium,potassium, calcium or magnesium salt.
 4. The method of claim 3 in whichthe compound is sodium bisulfite.
 5. The method of claim 3 in which thecompound is sodium metabisulfite.
 6. The method of claim 1 in which theperson is suffering from gran mal epilepsy.
 7. The method of claim 1 inwhich the person is suffering from petit mal epilepsy.